Trio convicted in Book Cliffs poaching incident

Ryan Hagin shows off the illegally taken buck.

A phone call to the Utah Division of Wildlife Turn-in-a-Poacher (UTiP) hotline prompted an investigation and successful prosecution of three Colorado residents in the illegal taking of a 4x4 buck and doe deer.

The incident occurred three miles outside the Colorado border in Utah's Bookcliffs back in November 2011.

Division of Parks and Wildlife to put together a solid case. The investigation revealed that Ostan Ware, Ryan Hagin, and Kody Kean did not possess valid permits for the take of either animal. It was also discovered that the doe was left behind to rot. The suspects posted pictures of the illegally killed wildlife online.

All three suspects pleaded guilty to Class A misdemeanor charges of Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife and/or Aiding and Assisting the

Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife.

The Seventh Judicial District Court of Grand Countyordered all three violators to pay $1,000 each in fines and $800 restitution.

Ware and Hagin were subsequently suspended for all big game hunting privileges for a period of 10 years in Utah and 37 other states participating in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Kean received a 5-yearsuspension for his role in the violation.

The sportsman who reported this violation received a poaching-reported reward permit to hunt the Bookcliffs Limited Entry Deer Unit this year.

Anyone who observes, or suspects, a wildlife violation has occurred is encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible by calling the UTiP hotline at 1-800-662-3337.